Penguins love the cold, but this one loves it even more. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

Santa Claus arrives Saturday in Long Beach with the Queen Mary's first-ever winter CHILL event with the world's largest igloo, an ice-skating rink, Candy Land and the Ice Kingdom.

The event, which will run for the next 51 days, has taken weeks of preparation as huge blocks of ice were required for the sculptures. In all, 36 truckloads of ice, weighing more than 2 million pounds, have been brought to the Queen Mary.

The Ice Kingdom will feature many holiday-theme exhibits, including a roof-high ice replica of the Queen Mary.

The event even includes an ice slide for children that leads back to the main exhibit floor.

The temperature inside will be "Arctic-cold, and demands that each visitor be provided with a parka to ensure their comfort," said Steve Sheldon, director of Entertainment Events.

An elephant carved from ice. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

The CHILL also includes an Ice Cave, Santa's Toyland, a walk-through Fairytale Castle, a Nativity scene and interfaith Ice Grotto - each complete with special lighting and use of dramatically colored ice.

CHILL, put on by The Queen Mary, in partnership with International Special Attractions, is free to the public.

In addition, the attraction will offer various family and other promotional opportunities, with military personnel being "especially accommodated."